Jets hire Frank Reich as offensive coordinator

Florham Park, NJ – Former NFL head coach Frank Reich, who quarterbacked New York Jets After a season that most fans would rather forget, he is back as the team’s new offensive coordinator.

The Jets announced the hiring of Reich on Wednesday, eight days after firing offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.

“Frank has a rare combination of experience, creativity and calmness under pressure,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said in a statement released by the team. “He has lived this game from every angle – as a quarterback in this league and as a coach who has led offenses at the highest level. He is unique in his ability to see the game and adapt when appropriate. Frank understands the offense and how to utilize players’ strengths. I look forward to how he will help this team lead success.”

Reich, 64, joined the Jets following a major staff overhaul made by Glenn, who fired nine assistants from his original staff. Reich becomes the Jets’ 12th different playcaller in a 16-year span.

In Reach, Glenn finds an experienced playcaller with head coaching experience – indianapolis colts (2018-22) and carolina panthers (2023). Reich inherited one of the worst offenses in the NFL – a unit with a gaping hole at quarterback. The Jets finished 29th in scoring and 29th in yards passing.

It’s an important appointment for Glenn, who went 3-14 in his first season and could be in the hot seat in 2026. Glenn is expected to call the shots on defense after hiring inexperienced defensive coordinator Brian Duker last Wednesday, which will let Reich run the show offensively.

Reich and Glenn have no prior experience coaching together, but they were teammates on the 1996 Jets, who posted the worst record (1–15) in franchise history. Reach started seven games that year as a replacement for the injured Neil O’Donnell. In 2015, he interviewed for the Jets’ head coaching position, which went to Todd Bowles.

He was one of five known candidates to interview for the vacancy. The others were Darrell Bevel (miami dolphins Quarterback coach/passing game coordinator), Ronald Curry (buffalo bill quarterback), Greg Roman (former los angeles chargers offensive coordinator) and Lunda Wells (dallas cowboys tight ends).

Bevel and Roman were the other finalists – they received a second interview in person – and may be considered for other positions on the staff. There are three vacancies on offense.

Reich was not in high demand, perhaps because he was out of the NFL in 2024 and 2025. He was the interim coach at Stanford University in 2025 (4–8) and remains at the school as a senior advisor. His previous NFL stop was brief and disorganized; He was fired by the Panthers after a 1–10 start in his first season. Their quarterback, No. 1 overall bryce youngStruggled mightily that year as a rookie.

Still, Reich has solid experience, including four years as a coordinator — two with the Chargers, two with the philadelphia eagles. He won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017, but he wasn’t a playcaller. Coach Doug Pederson took this responsibility.

Reich dealt with quarterback instability during his years with the Colts, which should prepare him for the Jets. In Indianapolis, they had five different starting quarterbacks – Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, philip rivers, carson wentz And Matt Ryan.

Despite frequent turnovers, they made the playoffs in two of his first three seasons and fielded three top-10 scoring offenses, evolving from a pass-heavy offense under Luck to a run-reliant unit with the running backs. jonathan taylor. Their offenses are known for being balanced and aggressive without any fuss or pace.

Their priority in New York will be to find a quarterback. Are the only quarterbacks under contract Justin Fields (a potential Caps casualty) and brady cookWho struggled as a rookie. They plan to add an experienced and, possibly, a newbie. The second big question is running back Breece HallWho will be a free agent.

Upside, wide receiver Garrett Wilson He is healthy after missing 10 games with a knee injury and the offensive line returns four starters.

Reich played 14 seasons in the NFL, best known as the backup quarterback of the Buffalo Bills from 1985 to 1994.